Ava’s POV

Ava didn’t know her night could get any worse. She’d already signed away five years of her life, lost her dignity, her career, and almost her sanity. She thought she’d hit rock bottom. But now, here he was and suddenly, the floor beneath her felt like it could crumble all over again.

“What are you doing here?” The words snapped out from my lips before I could think. My tone was surprisingly sharp and instinctive.

I pushed myself back, placing immediate space between us. My hand gripped the edge of the table like it might somehow protect me from the man sitting just inches away. Gabriel Sanchez. "He's just what I needed," I thought sarcastically.

He smirked. He was obviously unbothered by my antics, and it showed in his casual expression and posture as he had one arm draped lazily along the backrest of the booth like he owned the damn rooftop.

“I just noticed you sitting here all alone,” he said with a smooth voice like he had the words already planned out before coming over. “Sooooo... I thought I’d come say hello. You know, have a simple conversation between two business colleagues.”

I blinked. “We’re not business colleagues,” I said forcefully. I could never make the same mistake again. I had done it once, and now, five years later, I'm left with nothing. Never again.

“No?” His brow lifted.

"Yes, no. I mean, yes, no. Arrghhh!!" I screamed quietly.

Gabriel only widened his smirk. The corner of his lips tugged upward playfully, and he was enjoying my confusion. "You don't seem to hate the idea after all."

"You know what I meant, Gabriel," I deadpanned.

"Nope," he said with a pop to the p. I prepared to argue back when he spoke up first. "You of all people should know how dangerous assumption is," he added with a smirk.

I remained silent for a second. The words hit me hard; they were too direct. Could it be that he knows? No, it's not possible. How would he know so quickly?

I studied his expression carefully, and I could tell very well that he won't let it go anytime soon. “And even if we were, this—” I gestured to the space between us, then at the crowded rooftop, the people and the shiny cameras and phones. “—is not where we should be seen. Especially not together. You know what happens if the media catches even one blurry photo of this.”

His smirk didn’t falter for a second. “Okay? And who said I care?”

I took a deep breath. Of course he didn’t care; the pages would be about me and not him. Men like him always have a way to get themselves out of situations like this. Men like Liam.

“I’d love to share a drink,” he added, breaking me from my thoughts. He didn't wait for my reaction; he reached for the drink.

“I’m not interested,” I said quickly. My tone sounded slightly shaky. “Leave, please. Before this becomes something it’s not.”

He didn’t listen; they never do. Instead, he poured himself a glass from the bottle of liquor. He took a moment to swirl the drink around the glass cup while keeping his eyes on me like a predator toying with his prey.

He raised the bottle again, gesturing toward me with the neck of the bottle. “Drink?”

I stared at him blankly and said nothing.

He poured anyway, filling my glass, then he slid it towards me gently from across the table.

I didn’t touch it. “I said I’m not interested,” I muttered. “And I’d really appreciate it if you left.”

Gabriel took a long, slow sip from his own glass, which was Clara's. His eyes never left mine for a second, all the while, he stared at me as he downed it.

When he took it all, he set the glass down, then leaned forward just slightly. “What are you so worried about?”

I scoffed. “Excuse me?”

“You look like someone with a very short fuse. Like you would blow at any altercation.”

I stared at him, uncertain whether it was meant to be a threat or simply an observation. “I’m not scared of you,” I said, even though part of me still wasn’t sure if that was true.

“I didn’t say you were,” he replied, then tilted his head slightly. “But you’re definitely—," he paused, looking like he was looking for the right word.

I gave him a puzzled look. "Definitely what?"

"Looking for the right word, my Queen," he replied smugly.

"I'm not your queen," I nearly yelled.

"Exactly, that's what I was looking for. You are definitely uncomfortable."

"Why on earth would you think I'll be comfortable with you?" I asked with a matter-of-fact tone.

"Well, you have nothing to worry about, Ava."

“Oh, on the contrary, I have a lot to worry about, and you showing up uninvited doesn’t exactly help.”

He smiled again, this time, it looked more mischievous than amused.

“I know,” he said quietly.

I narrowed my eyes. Something told me it wasn't what we were talking about. “Know what exactly?”

"Oh, come on. Don't give me that, Ava, you are smarter than this. It’s everywhere.”

The words hit me and sent chills down my spine. I blinked back the worry. “What’s everywhere?”

His gaze darkened. His expression became unreadable. “Your divorce, Ava. The story, it's everywhere. How he used you and dumped you, it's everywhere.”

I inhaled sharply, caught off guard by that. I hadn’t expected it to have spread that quickly and I didn't bother going online since then. For some reason, hearing it come from him made the whole situation worse; the pain felt worse now. His words seemed to have more effect on me than I would admit.

But I kept my face neutral, trying to keep my cool. “Doesn't change anything,” I said stiffly. “You and I are still enemies.”

“Hmm,” he hummed. “For now.”

I leaned back again. “And I'm not looking towards that changing anytime soon.”

He burst into a low laugh; it came out deep and low. I hated that it sounded good. It rattled in my ears even though I tried to shut it out.

“You know you’re at a disadvantage here,” he said finally. His voice dropped slightly.

Gabriel turned and looked at something in front of him before looking back at me, then he leaned in closer.

I didn’t move though. I felt his body against mine, his perfume invaded my nostrils, but I couldn't move; I was frozen.

He whispered into my ear. “I know what you need." His breath felt warm against my skin. “And I can give it to you.”

I swallowed as I waited for the catch.

“But at a price."